Cambridge

Cambridge's population expanded in the decade to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in ethnicity and housing tenure.

The population passed 120,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Cambridge increased by 14%, from just under 109,000 to 124,000.

The addition of just over 15,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Cambridge was home to, on average, 22 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Average age stable in Cambridge

Latest census data also show that the median age of Cambridge remained 31 years in the decade to 2011.

This area had the lowest average age in Eastof England and remained younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of just under 3,700 people between the ages of 20 and 29 years, while the population between 70 and 79 years decreased by about 300.

About 25% of people in Cambridge are aged between 20 and 29 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Cambridge by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing household dynamics

Cambridge saw Eastof England's second-largest fall in the proportion of one-person households.

In 2011, just over one in three (34%) households in Cambridge had only one person, compared with 36% in 2001. The percentage of households comprising an unmarried couple increased from 8.9% to 11%.

Across the region, only Southend-on-Sea saw a greater fall in the proportion of one-person households (from 35% to 33%).

The percentage of households with only one person was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of households that comprised only one person across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Relationships in Cambridge

The proportion of married people fell in Cambridge, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in Eastof England, except Welwyn Hatfield.

Every local authority area across Eastof England saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 54% to 50%.

During this period, Cambridge fell below Norwich to become the Eastof England local authority area with the second-lowest percentage of married people.

The proportion of married people was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care

The percentage of Cambridge residents that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 0.7% to 0.8% between the last two censuses.

The percentage who reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 1.2%.

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care decreased faster here than in any other local authority district across Eastof England, while the percentage of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care fell faster than anywhere else in the region

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care in Cambridge remained close to 0.8%

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Cambridge by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Cambridge

Cambridge saw Eastof England's third-largest fall in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just under 1 in 17 (5.8%) in Cambridge reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 6.3% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 1.9% to 2.1%.

Across the region, only Welwyn Hatfield (from 7.3% to 6.4%) and Thurrock (from 6.2% to 5.5%) saw a greater decrease in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

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